Microsoft Azure

Instead of Blue Monday, we fully support Samaritans 2026, Brew Monday. To kick start the JavaScript & Sip 2026 schedule, we encourage you to come along and socialise, whether you choose to do so for a walk, coffee or some co-working, everyone is welcome. I will host a walk starting from Canary Wharf Station (Elizabeth Line) on Adam's Plaza Bridge, but if it is easier, please meet Joulie at Yummzy for 12:15 pm. At 12:30 pm we will set off along Upper Bank Street to Jubilee Park. A little walk around and through the park, past Middle Dock, along to West India Dock Pier. Walk along the Thames until we reach West Ferry Circus, over to West India Quay and around the North Dock, back through Canary Wharf roof top, then homeward bound via Cabot Square and into Yummzy Cafe. Circa 4km and we will go at a slow conversational pace. For those who would rather simply meet for a coffee or some co-working. We should be back in the cafe from 1:30/45 pm, where you can enjoy brilliant conversation about anything software, tech or even catch up about what's on your mind and socialise. We can continue until you need to shoot off or up until around 6 pm, when your working day should be nearing an end. Don't worry, you don't need to be in a job currently, if you are working, looking for a role, or someone to collaborate with in a start-up or personal project, come along. On behalf of Joulie (Founder of Yummzy, a big thank you for hosting this event too) and myself, I hope you are able to attend and would love to see as many of you as possible. Please feel welcome to bring a friend with you if this is your first event and for anyone wanting to know more about Samaritans and Brew Monday, please check out the information below: ***On Brew Monday, the third Monday in January, Samaritans reminds everyone to reach out for a cuppa and a catch-up with the people you care about.*** ***Today’s the day. The day you put the kettle on. The day small talk turns into big talk. The day you break open the biscuits and the taboos.*** ***The day you remind everyone how good human connection feels. How easy it is. And what a difference it can make.*** ***Let’s prevent suicide with a cuppa and a catch-up this Brew Monday. Because for many, tomorrow’s too late.*** [Brew Monday 2026 | #BrewMonday |There's always time for a cuppa and a catch-up](https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/brew-monday/)

**Check Updates [6/1/26]** * For the foreseeable future, the session will now be games only, due to the venue reducing our session to 6 courts only! * The Collctiv payment link now closes at 10am Mon (unpaid bookings will be withdrawn and need to rebook via AutoPay) * Strict Adherence to Late Cancellation & Refund/Credit policy **Booking & Payment Details** * **First RSVP,** then **use this [COLLCTIV](https://pay.collctiv.com/monday-games-only-7162)\* payment link** **until 10am Mon** * \*Contributions toward the Collctiv App is optional, untick it! * **[Click Here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pMsg6dATGes2pM59YuuzQBXabl882VvvXeDby0Y2usc/edit?usp=sharing)** to see full details regarding Collctiv * * **After 10am (AutoPay) payments made via Meetup/PayPal** (fees inc), and any unpaid bookings will be withdrawn, but can rebook if a space is available **Social Badminton only**\- this session is suitable for Beginners & Improvers players\. Until further notice\, there will be no coaching options\. See details below\! **SESSION DETAILS** * 18 Payers Max, 3 Courts used (out of 6) * Feather Shuttles Provided. Bring your own racket * **Time** \- 8\.00pm till 10\.00pm * **Cost** \- from £10 per person \(book early to avoid a booking fee\) * Strict Cancellation, No Show & Refund Policy! (see T&C's Below) * * **Updates & Notifications** Make sure to have your meetup notifications on, but you may also want to join our below for further updates and specific info Click here > **[Join the WhatsApp channel for updates/notifications](https://chat.whatsapp.com/LYNr3QXv8Pg48NXSu02UKA)** **TERMS & CONDITIONS** * **You must RSVP on MEETUP, and pay as instructed!** * If you plans change and you cannot attend, update your RSVP immediately! * **[Click Here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/12WmILk6X9dwgf_W0Cm6kgswKeW4ovHDTN8TBvN4Gq10/edit?usp=sharing)** to view details for Full Details By RSVPing for this event you confirm you have read and agree to our T&C's **Dress Code, Well Being, Conduct & Equal Opportunity:** Please ensure that you wear suitable clothing and footwear for indoor sporting activity. Ensure than your jewellery is also kept to a minimal, and avoid wearing large ear rings, chains or bracelets/bangles. Your health and safety in important to us, so if needed please seek advice from your doctor before playing any sports. You are also responsible for warming up/cooling down stretches to reduce the risk of strains/ injuries. Please understand that you play at your own risk as Crossfire Badminton Club will not be held responsible for any injuries incurred. We welcome players of all backgrounds, and treat everyone equally with respect. This is also expected from our participants. If you fail to do this, you may be asked to leave the session, or even banned from future sessions

**Kindly note that this is a paid event and the average number of attendees for our events is 60-70 people. You can register on [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/london-business-networking-event-by-london-connector-2-chesham-hotel-tickets-1978158962708?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/london-business-networking-event-by-london-connector-2-chesham-hotel-tickets-1978158962708?aff=meetup)** Join London Connector for a premium business networking event in Central London. Meet entrepreneurs, professionals, founders and expats London Connector hosts premium business and social networking events across Central London, including Belgravia, Mayfair, Soho and the City. Our events connect entrepreneurs, founders, expats, investors and professionals looking to grow their London network. With more than 400 events hosted and a vibrant international community, London Connector is one of the city’s leading networking platforms. ## **Why Attend?** The London Connector series has built a reputation for bringing together ambitious entrepreneurs, company directors, investors, innovators, and professionals from a wide variety of industries. The goal is simple: to connect people who are serious about business, collaboration, and creating opportunities in a relaxed and welcoming environment At this event, you can: * Meet **entrepreneurs and directors** looking to expand their network. * Connect with **investors and professionals** from diverse sectors. * Explore **partnerships, collaborations, and client opportunities**. * Enjoy a **stylish and relaxed setting** ideal for both social and business networking. ## **Event Highlights** * **Informal networking** with introductions facilitated by our host and the members of the London Connector community.. * A welcoming environment where conversations naturally lead to opportunities. * Networking from **6:00 PM until 9:30 PM**, with plenty of time to meet new people and build lasting connections. ## **Who Should Join?** * **Entrepreneurs & Startup Founders –** looking to showcase your ideas, find mentors, or attract strategic partners and investors. * **Business Owners & Company Directors –** interested in building partnerships, meeting potential clients, or discovering innovative solutions for your business. * **Investors & Advisors –** seeking exposure to exciting ventures, forward-thinking entrepreneurs, and professionals in various industries. * **Professionals from SMEs & Corporates –** aiming to grow your personal network, generate leads, or explore collaborations outside your immediate field. * **Consultants & Service Providers –** in areas such as marketing, finance, legal, HR, tech, or sustainability, who want to connect with decision-makers and companies in need of your expertise. * **Innovators & Tech Enthusiasts –** eager to stay ahead of trends, share insights, and explore potential alliances in digital, fintech, AI, or other growth sectors. * **Anyone new to London’s business scene –** looking for a welcoming community where professional introductions are natural, warm, and meaningful. ## **Secure Your Place** Spaces are limited and this event may sell out in advance. To avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend booking early. 👉 **Reserve your ticket today and be part of an evening where business meets opportunity in the heart of Belgravia.** **📸 Photography & Video Disclaimer:** Please note that photos and videos may be taken during the event to capture the energy of the evening. These may be used on our website, social media, and future promotional materials. If you prefer not to appear in any content, simply inform one of our event hosts upon arrival and we will ensure your preference is respected. * [United Kingdom Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom/events/) * [Greater London Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--greater-london/events/) * [Things to do in London](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/ttd/united-kingdom--london/) * [London Networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/networking/) * [London Business Networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/business--networking/) * [#business](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business/) * [#startup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23startup/) * [#entrepreneur](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23entrepreneur/) * [#networkingevent](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23networkingevent/) * [#london](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23london/) * [#businessnetworking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23businessnetworking/) * [#december](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23december/) * [#business_growth](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business_growth/) * [#business_professional](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business_professional/) * [#londonconnector](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23londonconnector/)

**Check Updates [6/1/26]** * For the foreseeable future, the session will now be games only, due to the venue reducing our session to 6 courts only! * The Collctiv payment link now closes at 10am Mon (unpaid bookings will be withdrawn and need to rebook via AutoPay) * Strict Adherence to Late Cancellation & Refund/Credit policy **See instructions for booking inc Payment Links below!** **\*Intermediate Games** \- this session is suitable for lower Intermediate players and above\! **HOW TO BOOK** * **RSVP on Meetup** and follow options below (if not your booking is void even if you have paid) **HOW TO PAY** * **Click Link >>> [COLLCTIV*](https://pay.collctiv.com/monday-intermediate-cp-games-only-24506) to Pay until 10am Mon!** * \*Contributions toward the Collctiv App is optional (untick it to pay £10 only) * **Book Early to Save Money!** After 10am (AutoPay) payments made via Meetup/PayPal (fees inc) * **[Click Here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pMsg6dATGes2pM59YuuzQBXabl882VvvXeDby0Y2usc/edit?usp=sharing)** to see full details regarding Collctiv **SESSION DETAILS** * 18 players Max, 3 Courts used (out of 6) * Feather Shuttles Provided. Bring your own racket * **Time** \- 8\.00pm till 10\.00pm * **Cost** \- from £10 per person \(book early to avoid a booking fee\) * Cancellation, No Show & Refund Policy! (see T&C's Below) 1. **Updates & Notifications** Make sure to have your meetup notifications on, but you may also want to join our below for further updates and specific info Click here > **[Join the WhatsApp channel for updates/notifications](https://chat.whatsapp.com/LYNr3QXv8Pg48NXSu02UKA)** **TERMS & CONDITIONS** * **You must RSVP on MEETUP, and then book & pay as instructed!** * If you plans change and you cannot attend, update your RSVP immediately! * **[Click Here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/12WmILk6X9dwgf_W0Cm6kgswKeW4ovHDTN8TBvN4Gq10/edit?usp=sharing)** to view details for Full Details By RSVPing for this event you confirm you have read and agree to our T&C's **Dress Code, Well Being, Conduct & Equal Opportunity:** Please ensure that you wear suitable clothing and footwear for indoor sporting activity. Ensure than your jewellery is also kept to a minimal, and avoid wearing large ear rings, chains or bracelets/bangles. Your health and safety in important to us, so if needed please seek advice from your doctor before playing any sports. You are also responsible for warming up/cooling down stretches to reduce the risk of strains/ injuries. Please understand that you play at your own risk as Crossfire Badminton Club will not be held responsible for any injuries incurred. We welcome players of all backgrounds, and treat everyone equally with respect. This is also expected from our participants. If you fail to do this, you may be asked to leave the session, or even banned from future sessions We look forward to seeing you at our session soon!

**\*Courts are reduced in use, with obstructions on 2 courts, but rallying can still be done. Numbers & price reduced till further notice** **Booking & Payment Details** * **First RSVP,** then **use this [Collctiv](https://pay.collctiv.com/badminton-67127) payment link** **until 10am Mon ([see full details here & below](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pMsg6dATGes2pM59YuuzQBXabl882VvvXeDby0Y2usc/edit?usp=sharing))** * After 10am (AutoPay) payments made via Meetup/PayPal (fees inc) ***\*Social Badminton*** *-* This session is suitable for players from beginner to intermediate levels who like to play for fun & competitively, but not too serious, with a variety of different players. Games are arranged by the Session Rep! **SESSION DETIALS** * 4 court venue (temp conditions - 2 main courts for matches and 2 for rallying & minor games) * 18 players max till all courts fully available. Feather Shuttles used * Bring your own racket & refreshment * Toilet facilities only * **Cost** \- £10\.50 per person \(usually £11\.50\) **see payment link below** * If you cannot attend, update your status immediately * Cancellation, No Show & Refund Policy! (see T&C's below) **HOW TO BOOK:** First RSVP on Meetup & Pay straight away as below! * **Before 10am on Mon** (Manual option) **-** Pay via > **[Collctiv Payment Link](https://pay.collctiv.com/badminton-67127)\*** * \*Supporting the Collctiv App is optional. Untick this to pay the session fee only. * **[Click Here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pMsg6dATGes2pM59YuuzQBXabl882VvvXeDby0Y2usc/edit?usp=sharing)** to see full details regarding Collctiv * * **From 10am on Mon**, incomplete bookings will be withdrawn and need to rebook as below. Plus... * **Autopay switched on!** \- RSVP via Meetup and make payment via PayPal \(fee inc\)\. No PayPal account required\, simply continue as a guest\. * **Do not turn up without booking, and/or wanting to pay in cash.** **WAITING LIST** is open till 10am. If you get a spot, then make a payment ASAP! Make sure you have your Meetup notifications on! It is your responsibility to make your payment in due course! Cancelation & No-Show Policies apply! The list will close at 10am, after which you can book via AutoPay if a space becomes available. **VENUE DETAILS** * Harris Academy Peckham, 112 Peckham Road, SE15 5DZ * Parking is available within the school car park. Entry is via Peckham Road, buzz for entry if closed * Players enter via reception to gain access to the sports hall **Terms & Conditions** **[Click Here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/12WmILk6X9dwgf_W0Cm6kgswKeW4ovHDTN8TBvN4Gq10/edit?usp=sharing)** to view details for Full Details By RSVPing for this event you confirm you have read and agree to our T&C's **Dress Code, Well Being, Conduct & Equal Opportunity:** * Wear suitable clothing and footwear for indoor sporting activity. * Ensure than your jewellery is also kept to a minimal, and avoid wearing large ear rings, chains or bracelets/bangles. * If the above is not suitable, you might not be able to participate within the session. No refund, exchange or credit will be given! * If needed please seek advice from your doctor before playing any sports. * You are responsible for warming up/cooling down stretches to reduce the risk of strains/ injuries. * Play at your own risk as Crossfire Badminton Club will not be held responsible for any injuries incurred. * We welcome players of all backgrounds, and treat everyone equally with respect. This is also expected from our participants. If you fail to do this, you may be asked to leave the session, or even banned from future sessions

For our first meetup of 2026, we welcome our very own James Dales to present. *\*\* Please only register if you are able to attend as the number of available places is limited \*\** **The future of Location Intelligence in Power BI** For many, mapping in Power BI is a few bubbles representing sales in different towns or countries - but does really add any value to your report? In this session we're going to explore how to create maps that help you exploit the value of the location in your data. The Icon Map visuals unlock a powerful range of capabilities across all industry sectors. In a demo packed session we'll explore: \- Route and flow maps \- Easiest way to add icons and images \- Overlaying your data on demographics \- 3D buildings and landscape \- Going indoors \- Realtime \- Huge datasets We'll see what's possible today, and also showcase the powerful new capabilities that are being released soon to take your maps to new levels. **Agenda** 18:30 - Welcome, drinks, pizza & networking 19:00 - Main Session 20:00 - Close **Venue** Tenth Revolution offices in London. Aldgate House, 33 Aldgate High St, London EC3N 1DL Please provide your first and last name when registering for the event, as this is provided to building security to allow you entrance into the venue.

Join us at our first event of the year at [The Information Lab](https://www.theinformationlab.co.uk/) on the historic Watling Street in the City of London 🙌 We will be kicking off 2026 by delving into the topic of real-time data with our speakers - Sam, Nicoleta & Anton. We are running this event in collaboration with **[Confluent](https://www.confluent.io/)**. **6pm:** Doors Open **6:30pm:** Talks Start 🗣️The Speakers🗣️ ***Load-In to Lights-Out: Data Engineering the World's Biggest Tours and Live Events*** ***Sam Malcolm,*** ***Head of Architecture & Engineering at Centrus ([Sam's Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-m-00b19a110/))*** **Sam’s** session dives into lessons from large-scale live event data systems—handling over **10 billion data points per second** for global tours like Beyoncé, Coldplay, and Glastonbury. He connects the extreme demands of real-time analytics and high-performance networking to modern cloud data practices, showing how the same principles of **speed, resilience, and precision** apply when designing reliable, scalable data platforms today. ***Should I Stream or Should I Join: From Regular to Delta Joins in Apache Flink*** ***Nicoleta Lazar, Senior Data Engineer at Fresha & Anton Borisov, Principal Engineer at Fresha ([Niloceta's LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleta-lazar-921a6864/) , [Anton's LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-s-borisov/))*** Joins in the streaming world are where the fun stops and the tradeoffs start. State that grows forever, latency that spikes unpredictably, watermarks that never quite behave, every Flink developer has war stories about this. In this session, Anton Borisov and Nicoleta Lazar break down the join landscape in Apache Flink: → Regular joins and the state explosion problem → Interval joins: when they work, when they don't → Temporal joins and the versioned table dance → Lookup joins: the escape hatch and its hidden costs → Delta joins: the new kid and how Fluss enables them, and why it matters Talks finish by **8pm** and there will be a break between the talks. Afterwards, we may head to a pub to continue chatting. You can sign up by subscribing to this event 🚨**IMPORTANT**: Please bring a ***valid form of ID***. See you all on the 22nd January 🤩 Happy Networking 🍻 Checkout Meetup Groups run by Confluent: * https://www.meetup.com/london-real-time-data-meetup/ * https://www.meetup.com/data-streaming-europe/ By attending this event, you agree to abide by our rules of conduct: * Respect others' opinions. * Keep it appropriate - no harassment of any sort. * If you see something or have a complaint, please reach out to one of the organisers or email events@dataengineerslondon.com.

**Welcome to our Official Members Club Night!** * See our new payment terms, prices & updates below! * **Suitable for Higher Intermediate to Advance players!** Many of our players compete at a Division 1 Level in the local leagues! * **Guests of a suitable standard welcomed (if interested in playing league matches do enquire)** * To maintain the level of the session, it may be necessary to direct a player to one of our other nights at their suitable level! **New Payment Terms, Prices & Updates (from 9/9/25)** * **Make your payment when you RSVP** (bank details below), don't leave it till later! (unless on waiting list) * If you don't complete the above you will be removed from the list/added to waiting list! See T&C's below! * **Members and Guests prices have increased!** (see below) **SESSION DETAILS** **VENUE** \- Harris Girls Academy East Dulwich\, SE22 0NR **TIME** \- 7\.30pm till 10pm **COURTS** \- 4 **SHUTTLES** \- Quality Feather Shuttles **COST** - **Annual Members £10 per session / Non-Members £14** * Pay when you RSVP, or you will be moved to 'Not Going' * Membership (only applicable for Wed sessions) For details regarding membership email - [sandra1.crossfire@gmail.com](mailto:sandra1.crossfire@gmail.com) Please note Membership may not always be available for different reasons! **BOOKING YOUR SPACE** **1 - RSVP & Pay via Bank Transfer to NatWest Account Details below** * **PLEASE MAKE YOUR PAYMENT WHEN YOU RSVP!** If you delay in making your payment, your spot will be removed without notice, and placed in the the waiting list or not attending **PAYMENT DETAILS** * Bank - NatWest * Account Name - Crossfire Badminton Club * Sort Code - 60-24-25 * Account no - 10579109 * Reference - Your Name & Session date * * **Waiting List** \- Be sure to have notifications on from Meetup to know if/when you are allocated a spot\! It is your responsibility to keep update\. Payment will be required promptly to secure your place\! Cancellation & No\-Show policies apply\. * If you take to long to secure your spot, you will be removed from the waiting list, giving other players a chance to book! **\*\*\*\* TERMS & CONDITIONS \*\*\*\*** **RSVP & UPDATING STATUS -** \~ You can only RSVP on this website! A prompt payment will be required unless you're on the waiting list. ( a delay in payment could mean you lose your spot! \~ **You can RSVP until 7pm the latest on Wednesday!** However do note the cancellation policy/times below! \~ If you have **RSVP'd and your plans change, please update/change your RSVP immediately!** So that other players have a chance to book! \~ No rackets are provided **CANCELLATION /NO SHOW POLICY & PENALTY FEE** **This session does not give a refund**, however, if you cancel your RSVP before 48hrs of the session start time, we are happy to transfer your payment to the following Wednesday session upon request! (Contact Sandra) **No Show Penalty**. A £5 penalty will be enforced which is payable before attending a future session. Repeat offenders will not be allowed to attend other sessions! \~ **Waiting List** **\- Please do keep an eye on any updates as you will be automatically added if someone cancels\, and required to make your payment ASAP to secure your place**. Cancellation/ No-Show policies apply! \~ Please understand that a 'No Excuses accepted!' policy will be taken, and understand that purpose of the penalty system is to maintain the value of the session, and allow us to plan accordingly. We thank you for your understanding and support! Toilets will be available, but changing rooms & showers will be closed, so arrive dressed to play **DRESS CODE, WELL-BEING, CONDUCT & EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:** Please ensure that you wear suitable clothing and footwear for indoor sporting activity. Ensure than your jewellery is also kept to a minimal, and avoid wearing large ear rings, chains or bracelets/bangles. If your footwear and/or clothing is not suitable you might not be able to participate in the session. No refund of transfer of session fees applicable! Your health and safety in important to us, so if needed please seek advice from your doctor before playing any sports. You are also responsible for warming up/cooling down stretches to reduce the risk of strains/ injuries. Please understand that you play at your own risk as Crossfire Badminton Club will not be held responsible for any injuries incurred. We welcome players of all backgrounds, and treat everyone equally with respect. This is also expected from our participants. If you fail to do this, you may be asked to leave the session, or even banned from future sessions Thank you for all your understanding and support CrossFire Badminton Club

Calling all Queer singers, songwriters, poets, public speakers, and performers... Join Queer Open Mic London at legendary venue [The Cock Tavern](https://www.thecocktavernlondon.com/) for a night of artistic expression from the LGBTQIA+ community. **If you'd like to perform please get in touch with Josh (co-organiser) beforehand to secure your slot. You can click on his profile to message him, give him a shout in the event chat on this page, or contact him [on Instagram](www.instagram.com/joshandthejumpstarts/).** This event is designed as an informal showcase for Queer performers. Non-Queer friends and allies are more than welcome in the audience. **Sunday 25th January, 2026** **5:30pm-8:30pm** **The Cock Tavern** 340 Kennington Rd London SE11 4LD Local buses within minutes of the venue include 3, 59, 133, 155, 159, 196, 333, and 415. Oval Underground station is 8 minutes walking away while Kennington Underground station is 10 minutes walking. Vauxhall station is 14 minutes walking from the venue, or a short bus ride. *Queer Open Mic is a free entry event and you can support the event and the venue by purchasing drinks at the bar. Absolutely no outside drinks are permitted.*

Hello and welcome to our next **GenAI UK in-person event**, delivered **in collaboration with [Data & AI Leaders](https://www.meetup.com/data-and-ai-leaders-uk/)**[.](https://www.meetup.com/data-and-ai-leaders-uk/) This session brings together engineers, ML practitioners, data and platform teams, product leaders, and technologists who are building and operating generative AI systems in real-world environments, alongside senior practitioners responsible for scaling those capabilities inside organisations. This collaborative session focuses on what happens when GenAI moves beyond experimentation, exploring how AI capabilities are built, scaled, and operated in production, and how teams reduce operational toil while maintaining security, reliability, and delivery velocity. Our meetups are friendly, welcoming, and practitioner-led, creating space for the community to learn from real systems, real teams, and real trade-offs. This session will include technical and experience-led talks, Q&A, and open discussion with members of the GenAI UK community. **We run:** • Online events for our UK & global audience • In-person meetups in London Please keep an eye on our Meetup page for future sessions. We are delighted to host this **in-person GenAI UK event in London on the 22nd of January**, in collaboration with **[Data & AI Leaders](https://www.meetup.com/data-and-ai-leaders-uk/)** and **[Incident.io](https://incident.io/)**. **Speakers and Sessions:** **Speaker: [Dylan Ratcliffe](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanratcliffe/), Founder at Overmind** **Session Title: How We Detected Toil among 36,000 Changes** How much engineering effort is spent on work that doesn’t add real value? In this talk, Dylan shares how nearly 37,000 infrastructure changes were analysed to quantify toil, identify safe automation opportunities, and reduce manual effort using data-driven models and AI-supported approval workflows. **Speaker: [Rory Malcolm](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-m-m/), Product Engineer at Incident.io** **Session Title: My first year as an AI engineer** Rory walks through Incident.io’s first year building an AI capability, covering both the technical and organisational challenges of moving from early experimentation to a team able to make meaningful progress against real AI goals. **Agenda:** 18:00 — Welcome & refreshments 18:30 — Introduction - [Ethan Sumner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethansumner404/) 18:35 — [Dylan Ratcliffe](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanratcliffe/) 19:10 — Break 19:20 — [Rory Malcolm](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-m-m/) 19:55 — Close & networking **We are always keen to hear from:** • Speakers — demos, applied GenAI projects, engineering deep dives • Sponsors — support for venues, recording, accessibility or community initiatives • Collaborators — meetups, research groups and ecosystem partners If you’d like to speak, sponsor, or collaborate on a future session, please get in touch with **[Ethan Sumner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethansumner404/) via LinkedIn or Meetup**. This community forms part of the **[Community Stack ecosystem](https://www.meetup.com/pro/generative-ai-uk-community/)** and follows the **Community Stack Code of Conduct**, helping us maintain a respectful, inclusive and welcoming environment for all attendees. We look forward to seeing you in January, and for those planning ahead, the **next [GenAI UK online](https://www.meetup.com/generative-ai-uk-community/events/312728629/) event takes place on the 3rd of March**.

Register: https://luma.com/aiengineerlondon9 Join London’s coolest AI crowd for an evening of demos, drinks, and great conversations. ​Speakers ​​Vasilije Markovic - Founder @ Cognee ​"Implementing shareable, domain-specific Agentic memory" ​Matt Boyle - Head of Product & Engineering @ Ona ​"Automating the boring (but necessary) parts of software engineering with Ona" ​Alex Booker - Head of Developer Education @ Mastra ​"Real-world, multi-agent systems with Mastra"

Register: [https://guild.host/events/january-meetup-jsmonthly-iv25sl](https://guild.host/events/january-meetup-jsmonthly-iv25sl) **Schedule** **18:00 Doors Open** **18:45 Introduction** **19:00 Zen and the Art of Code Maintenance // Beth Swingler** **19:30 Leveraging Chrome AI for optimised in-browser AI experiences // Victory Nwani** **19:40: Break** **19:50 UI in the AI age - Adam Crowley** **21:00 Networking**

## Learn Infrastructure-as-Code (the FUN Way) — Through Minecraft 🎮☁️ **Joint Meetup: Azure CBUS × Columbus HashiCorp User Group × DevOps Columbus** What if learning Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code didn’t feel like a whitepaper… but more like a game? Join us for a joint Azure CBUS, Columbus HashiCorp User Group, and DevOps Columbus meetup where **Mark Tinderholt** \(Principal Architect\, Microsoft Azure \| HashiCorp Ambassador \| “The Azure Terraformer”\) shows how **Minecraft** can be used as a surprisingly powerful way to understand real-world Infrastructure-as-Code concepts. In this session, Mark will demonstrate how Terraform and Azure can be used to provision, configure, and manage Minecraft servers—while teaching the same patterns you’d use for production cloud infrastructure. ### What we’ll cover * Infrastructure-as-Code fundamentals using **Terraform** * Provisioning real infrastructure on **Azure** * Applying **IaC best practices** (immutability, repeatability, versioning) * How playful environments like Minecraft make complex concepts *click* * Why learning through experimentation beats click-ops every time ### Who should attend * Developers, platform engineers, and cloud engineers * Terraform users (new or experienced) * Anyone curious about Infrastructure-as-Code but tired of boring examples * Minecraft fans who want to see it used in a totally unexpected way No prior Minecraft experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn infrastructure the fun way. Come for the blocks, stay for the Terraform. 🧱➡️📐 Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/

### Tools in your AI's Toolbox : An introduction to MCP Servers The generative AI revolution has unlocked unprecedented capabilities, but the next frontier is agency: empowering models to interact with, query, and act upon the world. The current challenge is the “N x M integration problem,” where every AI model requires a custom, brittle integration for each external tool or data source. This approach simply doesn’t scale. How can we give an AI access to our sales leads, code repositories, or IoT devices in a standardized, secure, and reusable way? This session introduces Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP), the open-source framework designed to solve this challenge and become the universal connector—the USB-C port—for AI. MCP standardizes how AI models discover and use external tools, moving beyond simple function-calling to a robust, client-server architecture. We will dive into how this open protocol is creating a new ecosystem for building powerful, context-aware AI agents. Join this session for a developer-focused introduction where you will learn how to: Understand the core concepts of the open-source Model Context Protocol and its architecture. Utilize pre-built, open-source MCP servers to instantly connect AI to tools like Git, Slack, and databases. Build a custom MCP server to securely expose your own proprietary data and APIs as tools for any compliant AI. Move beyond bespoke integrations and contribute to a standardized, collaborative, and open ecosystem. Stop building one-off connectors and start building intelligent agents. This session will give you the practical knowledge to leverage MCP and create the next generation of AI that doesn’t just talk, but does. Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! [https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/](https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/)

## Details \#\# Learn Infrastructure\-as\-Code \(the FUN Way\) — Through Minecraft 🎮☁️ **Joint Meetup: DevOps Columbus - Azure CBUS - Columbus HashiCorp User Group** What if learning Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code didn’t feel like a whitepaper… but more like a game? Join us for a joint DevOps Columbus, Azure CBUS and Columbus HashiCorp User Group meetup where **Mark Tinderholt** \(Principal Architect\, Microsoft Azure \| HashiCorp Ambassador \| “The Azure Terraformer”\) shows how **Minecraft** can be used as a surprisingly powerful way to understand real-world Infrastructure-as-Code concepts. In this session, Mark will demonstrate how Terraform and Azure can be used to provision, configure, and manage Minecraft servers—while teaching the same patterns you’d use for production cloud infrastructure. \#\#\# What we’ll cover * Infrastructure-as-Code fundamentals using **Terraform** * Provisioning real infrastructure on **Azure** * Applying **IaC best practices** (immutability, repeatability, versioning) * How playful environments like Minecraft make complex concepts *click* * Why learning through experimentation beats click-ops every time \#\#\# Who should attend * Developers, platform engineers, and cloud engineers * Terraform users (new or experienced) * Anyone curious about Infrastructure-as-Code but tired of boring examples * Minecraft fans who want to see it used in a totally unexpected way No prior Minecraft experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn infrastructure the fun way. Come for the blocks, stay for the Terraform. 🧱➡️📐

## Learn Infrastructure-as-Code (the FUN Way) — Through Minecraft 🎮☁️ **Joint Meetup: Azure CBUS × Columbus HashiCorp User Group** What if learning Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code didn’t feel like a whitepaper… but more like a game? Join us for a joint Azure CBUS and Columbus HashiCorp User Group meetup where **Mark Tinderholt** \(Principal Architect\, Microsoft Azure \| HashiCorp Ambassador \| “The Azure Terraformer”\) shows how **Minecraft** can be used as a surprisingly powerful way to understand real-world Infrastructure-as-Code concepts. In this session, Mark will demonstrate how Terraform and Azure can be used to provision, configure, and manage Minecraft servers—while teaching the same patterns you’d use for production cloud infrastructure. ### What we’ll cover * Infrastructure-as-Code fundamentals using **Terraform** * Provisioning real infrastructure on **Azure** * Applying **IaC best practices** (immutability, repeatability, versioning) * How playful environments like Minecraft make complex concepts *click* * Why learning through experimentation beats click-ops every time ### Who should attend * Developers, platform engineers, and cloud engineers * Terraform users (new or experienced) * Anyone curious about Infrastructure-as-Code but tired of boring examples * Minecraft fans who want to see it used in a totally unexpected way No prior Minecraft experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn infrastructure the fun way. Come for the blocks, stay for the Terraform. 🧱➡️📐 Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/cbus-hug-2026/

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 **Abstract** GitHub Copilot is rapidly changing how developers write, understand, and maintain code. Powered by generative AI and deeply integrated into modern development environments, Copilot acts as an intelligent coding assistant, helping developers move faster while maintaining quality and focus. In this session, we’ll explore what GitHub Copilot is, how it works, and where it fits into a real-world developer workflow. We’ll break down what Copilot can (and cannot) do, where it can be used, and how licensing differs for individuals and organizations. Most importantly, this talk goes beyond theory with a live, hands-on demo showcasing Copilot inside the IDE and on GitHub, demonstrating how it can assist with code generation, refactoring, learning new APIs, and accelerating day-to-day development tasks. Designed for developers, technical leads, and engineering managers, this session provides a practical introduction to AI-assisted development, highlights best practices for getting value from Copilot, and closes with guidance on how to continue learning and evolving alongside this rapidly advancing tool. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how GitHub Copilot can enhance productivity, improve developer experience, and fit into modern software teams today, not someday. **YouTube Link** TBA

Join us for this exciting user group meeting where we welcome **Danny Anil**, M365 Architect at Cyclotron. Danny will present **“Getting started on your agentic journey: Introduction to Microsoft Copilot Studio”** As AI moves from experimentation to everyday impact, Copilot Studio puts powerful agent‑building capabilities directly in the hands of makers, IT, and business teams. In this session, Danny will show how Copilot Studio enables you to create domain‑specific copilots, ground them in your organization’s data, and automate real workflows using topics, actions, triggers, and 1,400+ connectors. In this session, Danny will break down how Copilot Studio enables you to: * Build **knowledge‑rich agents** using natural language * Extend Microsoft 365 Copilot with **organization‑specific intelligence** * Automate repetitive work using **actions, triggers, and Power Automate flows** * Deploy agents across Teams, websites, apps, and more * Start small with Copilot Studio Lite also knowns as “Agent Builder” or scale up to full enterprise capabilities Join us for a live session featuring hands-on demos, proven best practices, and practical guidance on how to start building Copilots today. Designed for developers, IT professionals, and business leaders alike, this session will help you understand how to apply AI in meaningful, real-world scenarios. **Why now?** AI is reshaping the way we work. Copilot Studio puts that power in your hands—securely, responsibly, and at scale. We’ll wrap up with an open Q&A, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and walk away with the confidence to turn ideas into impact. This will be a hybrid events, if you choose to attend in person, we will need to have your name to security the day before the event. **Agenda - Wednesday, Jan 28th** 5:30 pm Central - Welcome and Intros 5:45 pm Key news and announcements 6:00 pm - **Getting started on your agentic journey: Introduction to Microsoft Copilot Studio** 6:45 pm- Ask us anything - We will try to answer :) Hope you join us! Craig & Ralph

* Who Can Attend * The Central Ohio .Net Developers Group meetings are free and open to the public! All developers; professional, student, and hobbiest are welcome and encouraged to attend. * When we meet * The Central Ohio .Net Developers Group meets on the 4th Thursday of every month. * Where we meet * Please check our Meetup group link below for location details! * Join our Meetup Group * https://www.meetup.com/Central-Ohio-NET-Developers-Group-CONDG/